[Hi-Jack]

Novatron is back and brings us a somewhat special combination of media player which can handle recording form both analog attached sources over SCART and COMPOSITE or from DVB-T broadcasts. in addition, the player is as much capable as a standalone media player in "theory". We checked it out to see how well it copes with the media player section and report it inside this review.

We found a somwhat similar experience as with many Realtek players as far as interface and abilities are concerned. The NTR83 falls right about right in the middle in our balance of appreciation and it certainly helped having the 2" color display and ability to use analogue sources for recording.

All together, we found the IAMM NTR83 quite a neat little player for the average joe's however the true media fans will be sitting down and wait for Novatron taking things a little further...

Full Review IAMM NTR83:
http://www.mpcclub.com/forum/links/reviews-2009-9

[Monkeyface]

How disappointing!

[CarverS]

Thanks for the review. Novatron has a lot of work to do on this good looking player.

And what I still can't understand: Why do companies put such noisy fans in these players nowadays? It should be forbidden.

[Superic]

Hi Hi-Jack,

Thanks for the review.
What do you think. Will the IAMM NTD58 will have the same result as this player?
(Except of course from the recording)
Since that has the Sigma chip..

[Hi-Jack]

It will be based on a total different SDK (RT vs Sigma) so remains to be seen. Both SDK's have their pros and cons for sure... It depends on how well everything is tweaked and developed as interface by novatron as well...

[Saulius]

Hi. So were in Europe can I buy this PVR? Regards

[Hi-Jack]

Not sure it is at stores yet but will shortly be... THen depends on NOvatron distributing the unit and find resellers to add it... Surely it will start popping up in places shortly...

[CarverS]

Originally Posted by Saulius Hi. So were in Europe can I buy this PVR? Regards

Here it pops up already:


http://www.hdsupplies.nl/nl/iamm-ntr83.html

[sturisht]

I accept with informatio: Both SDK's have their pros and cons for sure... It depends on how well everything is tweaked and developed as interface by novatron as well...

[Cowpat]

I thought I would add to the discussion. I've never commented on a product before, so please bear with me.

I purchased the NTR83, even after reading Hi-Jack's informative review. I do regret having purchased this player. The fan is unbelievably noisy, which is audible even with the TV turned up to a reasonably loudly. I've owned an Ellion 350H (which wasn't without its quirks), and its fan was almost silent.

I also think the NTR83 software needs some work to make it more user friendly. The Ellion software was intuitive and reasonably easy to use. As an example, to delete a file from a list of video files on the Ellion, one would press the "Edit" button on the remote control and you could rename or delete the file. Simple enough. On the NTR83 however, if you have finished watching a program in the Browser, there is no way of deleting that file from there. You have to exit the Browser screen and navigate to the the File Manager to the file you have just finished watching, mark that file as a source file for copy and then choose the destination, which is the Recycle Bin. Not very intuitive.

The 2" screen is a waste really - it's primarily a media player and recorder, so the TV will be on when its on. You are able to switch this screen off, though then there is no way of knowing whether a recording is in progress, as there is no red light on the front (as there was on the Ellion). The only way you know a recording is in progress is that some of the options on the main screen are not available.

I haven't used this recorder extensively, so am unable to comment on all the other features. The features I have used seem to fall short of what I would expect from a product that costs over £200.

Please don't think I am NTR83 bashing or work for Ellion, I just feel the Ellion product was better thought out and implemented and am using it as a point of reference. I also wanted to make others aware of the shortcomings of the NTR83.

The fan noise is so loud, I am in the process of returning this product.